Road to ramen

Wokyo is a Tokyo inspired noodle bar with the mission to explore the great noodle tradition of the Far East. The idea is to bring the exotic flavours of street food stalls and back alleys, the show and the freshness in a simple way to our customers. Our healthy menu is designed to give you the complete freedom to choose your adventure. Combine your choice of fresh ingredients and create something new and let us take you on an unforgettable destination. The name Wokyo is inspired from the vibrant city of Tokyo and the Asian cooking pot, Wok. Hence the name Wokyo. Ever since Wokyo Noodle Bar opened, it has been gaining more and more popularity in Dubai. Today, Wokyo is one of the top noodle destinations in Dubai.

Wokyo is a Tokyo inspired noodle bar with the mission to explore the great noodle tradition of the Far East. The idea is to bring the exotic flavors of street food, the show and the freshness in a simple way to our customers. The name Wokyo is inspired from the vibrant city of Tokyo and the Asian cooking pot, Wok. Hence the name Wokyo. Ever since Wokyo Noodle Bar opened, it has been gaining more and more popularity in Dubai. Today, Wokyo is one of the top noodle destinations in the city.

In 2016, a famous Japanese television channel, Tokyo TV was visiting Dubai and looking to feature the most popular noodle destinations within UAE. After their research, they came across the name Wokyo noodle bar as a popular destination for noodle lovers. They visited Wokyo with their television team and renowned Japanese noodle masters and Ramen specialists. At Wokyo they felt like home and they fell in love with the flavors, the big variety of noodles and the vibe of Wokyo which made them feel just like home. At this visit chef Saeki-san who was part of Tokyo TV introduced us to Sapporo style ramen which he though would be a great addition in our quest to explore the noodle tradition of the Far East. Sapporo style ramen is different from the classic Japanese ramen. Sapporo style ramen are prepared using the wok. The broth and the toppings which consists of delicious vegetables are cooked in the wok giving the ramen its roasted and sizzling flavor. This was a match made in heaven for Wokyo as most of our food is prepared in the wok. Chef Saeki san ignited our curiosity for Sapporo style ramen and we decided to learn everything there is to know about this delicious dish. We instantly fell in love with Sapporo style ramen and introduced it in our menu.

When Tokyo TV visited Dubai they were looking for the home of noodles in the city and Wokyo stood out both for its authentic look, feel and flavors. This feature piqued the interest of Master Ramen Chef Ishida-san who visited us in Dubai. He was touched by the warm hospitality, simple vibrant atmosphere and live kitchen at Wokyo, reminiscent of the casual Sapporo style Ramen yokocho “alley” in Japan. He enjoyed the passion that drove Wokyo noodle bar and invited us to visit Sapporo, to learn, get inspired and experience the true Sapporo style ramen under his personal care.

Our curiosity was ignited and we headed to Japan where we were welcomed like family by Chef Ishida and his team. We trained at Nishiyama headquarters, Japan’s biggest ramen noodle manufacturer whose history of ramen noodle making goes as far as 1947, learning to make the perfect bowl of ramen but also understanding the significance of this beautiful wholesome dish so deeply rooted in Japanese, Hokkaido culture.

Few months after Tokyo TV visit we had visitors from northern city of Sapporo, Hokkaido region in Japan. It was a representative from Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry “METI” Mr. Maruyama-san and Master Ramen Chef Ishida-san. They had seen Wokyo featured on Tokyo TV and decided to visit us when in Dubai. Chef Ishida was very much touched by the warm hospitality, simple vibrant atmosphere and live kitchen which made a very positive impression on him and reminded him of casual Sapporo style Ramen yokocho “ally” in Japan. He enjoyed the passion that drove Wokyo noodle bar and wanted to meet the chefs and the management. He welcomed us to visit Sapporo, to learn, get inspired and experience the true Sapporo style ramen under the personal care of master chef Ishida-san himself.

Extremely excited and honored by this opportunity we planned our visit this summer with our talented Wokyo team members. It was an opportunity of a life time and we were not going to miss it. On our way, we stopped by in Bangkok and Hong Kong enjoying and getting inspired by the latest noodle trends from the vibrant Kaosan street in Bangkok to trendy Soho street of Hong Kong reaching to the famous Gonzo Ramen alley in Sapporo.

We were welcomed like family by Chef Ishida and his team. We got trained in the art of ramen at Nishiyama headquarters, Japans biggest ramen noodle manufacturer. They provided the ramen kitchen for Sapporo ramen training and with no time wasted our intense training started. Chef Ishida had it all very organized as he truly wanted to inspire us keeping in mind that recipe and ingredients had to be UAE halal standard, a challenge that only an international ramen chef could tackle.

Chef Ishida also took us to his local Sapporo ramen restaurant away from the classic tourist attractions where he first started his training as a young student 40 years ago. He shared with us stories about his travels to Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe and United States of America opening hundreds of Ramen shops and spreading the love of Sapporo ramen to the world. He explained how ramen is deeply rooted in their culture, taught in Japans’ Hokkaido region schools and even served as daily school meals. A ramen cooked by their spouses and mothers is deeply appreciated like no other food. You could see and feel the love and passion for ramen in his stories.

We were commuting daily with the locals to our training. Working hard, long hours and loving every detail that elevated our knowledge and passion of Sapporo ramen. We learned how ramen noodles of Nishiyama are made from the pure melted snow water and local farmed wheat.

Chef Ishida proudly offered the ramen we made together to the Nishiyama factory workers. As our hearts pounded not knowing if it would be to their liking we heard the word “Ummai! Ummai!” chanted loudly as they finished their ramen. “Ummai!” which means “delicious” in Japanese is chanted loudly to make sure the chef hears it to show their appreciation for the delicious ramen being eaten.

Mr Ishida and all their supporting team invited us out on our last day in Sapporo. A festive evening with ramen, fresh uni and a Sapporo classic dish called Jingizukan. We sang karaoke all night bonding with our new friends in true Sapporo spirit.

So here we are extremely excited to serve the most original and delicious Sapporo ramen ever served in UAE to our customers starting on the 7th of December. Three days of festivities and events at Wokyo together with chef Ishida san himself and Wokyo team serving hot delicious ramen. Good company, good music and hot delicious ramen that’s Sapporo style, that’s Wokyo style.